Detachable lug for tractors and the like



Feb. 16 1926. 1,572,895

c. LOFFLER DETACHABLE LUG FOR TRACTORS AND THE LIKE Original Filed Feb. 2. 192 1 Fatented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES CHARLES L. LOFELER, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

DETACHABLE LUG FOE TBACTOBS AND THE Application filed February 2, 1921, Serial No. 441,895. Renewed June 3, 1925.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

it known that Gin-nines 'L. LorrLnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Detachable Lugs for 'lractors and the like; and I do declare the foilowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. I

This invention relates to tractors, steam engines and similar vehicles, but more particularly to a readily detachable wheel tread-lug device, and the invention has for its object to provide a simple wheel-tread device which is cheap and easy to manufacture, strong, durable and etlicient.

The invention consists of the construction of the detachable lugs, the arrangement for connecting them together to form an endless tread-device, and in the combination of the device with the wheel-tread; all of which will be first fully described and afterwards specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a tractor or like wheel-tread or rim illustrating my detachable tread-device in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the preferred form of lug.

Figs. i and 5 are similar views illustrating slight modifications of lugs.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, in which:

1 indicates a tractor or like wheel-tread or rim, and 2 indicates my detachable treaddevice. Said device 2 includes a plurality of lugs 3, which as shown in Fig. 3, may have the transverse radial lug-member a cast integral with the base 5 and with the curved fingers 6 and vertical fingers 7. Said lugmember 1- and curved fingers 6 may also be cast or otherwise formed separately from the base 5 and vertical fingers 7 or the lugmember at and curved fingers 6 may be cast or formed integrally but separately from the base and vertical fingers 7.

In any event, I provide an eye-memberi8, which as shown in Fig. 3, maybe an eye-bolt passed through the lug-member 4 and threaded into a female threaded hook 9; or

said eye-member 8 may be formed on the base 5 and the eye 9 maybe formed on'the carved finger 6, the partsbeing secured togather by bolts 10, as shown in Fig. f1; or the eye-bolt 8 may pass through a vertical flange 11 formed on thebase 5 and through a coincident hole in the lug-member 1 to tie these parts together, as shown in Fig; 5.

To apply the tread-device to a wheeltread or rim, said tread or rim is first provided with suitable holes or perforations to receive the curved and the vertical fingers 6 and 7 of the lugs 3, as will be clearly understood. The first or initial lug 3 is indicated at A in Fig. 1, and is applied to the tread by tilting the lug so as to enter the curved fingers 6 through the tread or rim 1; the vertical fingers 7 entering the respective perforations when the base 5 is brought down against the tread or rim 1. One or more double eye-links 12 are connected in the eye-member or members of each lug 3, and as the next or succeeding iug 3 is tilted for entering its curved fingers 6 through the tread, these links 12 are hooked over the hooks 9 on the last men tioned lug 3 so that when said lug 3 is brought down against the tread 1, said links 12 are made taut so as to prevent casual displacement of the links 12 from the hookmembers 9. This operation is duplicated at the application of every lug until the last lug in the series, indicated at Z in Fig. 1, is in place. For the first and last lug, double eye-links of half length are employed which are secured directly to the wheeltread or rim 1 by through-bolts 14, as shown. The tread-device being thus applied, can be easily detached when required and is interchangeable for wheels of the same size. Having thus fully described the invention, its utility becomes evident, and while the construction can be changed in unessential details, it is not necessary to illustrate nor describe such, as I consider myself clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications as fall within the limit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: 1. A detachable lug,device for tractor and like wheels, including, in combination with a perforated wheel-tread or rim, a plurality of detachable lugs, each of which includes a curved finger and a straight finger for entrance in the perforated wheel-tread, and a plurality of connecting links for connecting the lugs together on the wheel-treador rim.

2. A detachable lug device for wheels, including, in combination with a perforated wheel-tread, a plurality of detachable lugs, each lug including a finger adapted to enter a perforation in the wheel-tread and interlockingly engage said wheel-tread upon movement of the lug with respect thereto, and links releasably connecting the lugs, saidlinks serving to hold the lugs against finger unlocking .movement on the Wheeltread.

3. A detachable lug device for wheels, including, in combination with a perforated wheel-tread, a plurality of detachable lugs, each lug including a curved locking finger adapted to be projected into and withdrawn from a perforation in the wheel-tread upon the tilting movement of the lug thereon, and releasable means connecting the lugs together andserving to prevent tilting finger releasing movements thereof.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

CHARLES L. LOFFLER. 

